Angler Rescues Entangled Juvenile Great White Shark Near Hermosa Beach Pier

On April 2, 2026, near the Hermosa Beach Pier in California, fisherman Kevin Phan performed a rescue of a juvenile great white shark that had become entangled in fishing line. Phan, identified as a 20-year-old angler, recognized the protected status of the animal after hooking it and immediately initiated action to free the creature.

To facilitate the high-risk maneuver, Phan entered the surf zone adjacent to the pier, reportedly stripping down to his underwear. Using a pair of scissors, he meticulously worked to sever the constricting line from the shark’s mouth while the animal thrashed. Following the initial disentanglement, Phan, with assistance from another individual, physically guided the large, struggling shark back toward deeper water against the incoming waves.

Onlookers gathered on the sand and the pier watched the operation, which concluded successfully when the shark propelled itself into deeper water and swam away, drawing applause from the assembled crowd. Resident Alexandra Garry documented the event, initially mistaking the catch for a large tuna before identifying the distinct silhouette of a shark.

This incident aligns with broader ecological forecasts from marine biologists, including those at the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab. Director Chris Lowe has publicly anticipated an increase in nearshore shark activity across Southern California waters for 2026. This trend is attributed to unseasonably warm coastal sea surface temperatures, a pattern noted in the NOAA Fisheries' 2025 ocean ecosystem indicators report, which drives prey species and juvenile sharks closer to the coastline.

Dr. Lowe has referenced similar conditions observed during the 2015 marine heat wave, known as 'the blob,' which also correlated with elevated shark presence off Southern California beaches. The warming waters create a productive environment, boosting plankton and subsequently the bait fish consumed by young great whites. However, this increased proximity heightens the potential for human-shark interactions, although juvenile great whites generally pose a low defensive risk when hooked.

Great white sharks have held protected status in California waters since 1994 under Fish and Game Code Section 28.06, restricting capture without specific permits. Further regulations, such as Assembly Bill 2109 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2022, restrict the use of chum and shark bait near piers when a white shark is known to be present. Phan sustained only minor cuts and scrapes from the ordeal, stating his priority was the safe release of the protected species. The event concluded without injury to either the fisherman or the shark, illustrating the current dynamic between recreational activity and marine conservation mandates along the coast.